Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Baghdad - The commander of a new security plan for the Iraqi capital Baghdad will have sweeping new emergency-style powers, according to a government decree read out by the general on Tuesday.

Lieutenant-General Abboud Gambar said that, under the authority of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, he would combine command of the police and the armed forces in the war torn capital and enjoy increased responsibility.

The decree authorises him to "impose necessary restrictions in all public places and centres and clubs and organisations and unions and businesses and institutions and offices to protect citizens and people who work".

"Searches will be done on public streets and precautionary measures will be applied on packages, mail, messages and communications and telecommunications equipment," he said, reading the decree on state television.

"Security forces will be authorised to block or search public or private property ... (and) will have the right to impose travel restrictions on individuals or vehicles," he added.